Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court suspends 17-year prison sentences for Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha.
- They were convicted for anti-state social media posts but have denied the charges.
- Mazari has been recognized internationally for defending ethnic minorities and journalists.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered the release on bail of prominent rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, suspending their 17-year prison sentences.
The couple was convicted in January under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act for posting anti-state content on social media, specifically critical of military operations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Both Mazari and Chattha have maintained their innocence, with Mazari challenging the conviction in the Islamabad High Court before taking the case to the Supreme Court.
Shireen Mazari, the lawyer's mother and former human rights minister under Imran Khan, expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for delivering justice to the couple.
The decision comes as international human rights groups, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, had previously questioned the fairness of the trial.
Mazari has gained international recognition for her work in defending ethnic minorities and journalists in Pakistan, highlighting the importance of her case in the broader context of human rights advocacy.
The Supreme Court's ruling is pending the decision of the lower court, which is expected within weeks.
The family is still awaiting the couple's release, as reported by Reuters.
